What Is Gamecontrollerd?
At first glance, Gamecontrollerd doesn’t appear to be a malicious process but multiple Mac users are reporting having issues with it.
The process is a legitimate process extending Macs’ video gaming capabilities. Gamecontrollerd is constantly running, and could be associated with keylogging activities. The “d” at the end of its name means that it is a “daemon,” or a background service supporting various macOS components.
Unfortunately, numerous Mac users have noticed that the process runs even when launching programs not related to gaming. According to some detections, Gamecontrollerd is a passive listener associated with the ReiKey software. Since the behavior of Gamecontrollerd is somewhat controversial, it is best to scan your system with an anti-malware program to see if you have any unwanted or malicious software related to this process.
Gamecontrollerd Details
| Name | Gamecontrollerd |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Malicious Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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Gamecontrollerd – How Did I Get It?
Gamecontrollerd could end up on your Mac using different types of methods to spread. Usually with applications like this one there are three main strategies they use to get installed:
- By being automatically bundled to installers of free apps, like media players, file converters and other freeware downloaded from low reputation sites.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have.
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up to include it.
Gamecontrollerd – What Does It Do?
Once it has landed on your Mac, this software can begin to perform certain modifications to the settings of your web browser so it can show ads without a problem. These modifications often include changing your default web page that appears when you turn on your browser. Not only this but also the Gamecontrollerd software could begin changing the default search engine of your browsers as well. The outcome of this is a lot of different ads to begin appearing without your approval:
- Pop-up ads.
- Banner ads.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Ad-supported results when you search something.
- Redirect adverts.
- Text ads, highlighted on the sites you visit.
These ads may not only contain cookies, pixels, trackers and other objects, but they could also lead to very dangerous websites, for example:
- Fraudulent tech support scams.
- Phishing domains.
- Scammer websites.
- Domains that may have viruses.
- Fake software download URLs.
- Redirect loop schemes of long URLs.
- Fake survey scams.
This is why the software has been regarded as an indirect risk to your Mac and should be removed from it as soon as you detect it appearing.
Is Gamecontrollerd a Virus?
Gamecontrollerd doesn’t fit the description and behavior of computer virus, as it is a potentially unwanted program. However, these types of programs have been known to cause various issues for the operating system, and it is recommended to remove them to avoid future complications.
Remove Gamecontrollerd from Your Device
If you want Gamecontrollerd completely gone from your Mac, we would suggest following the guy that has been posted below. It contains removal steps that have been designed to best make it easy for you to remove this program from your web browsers and macOS. For the most effective removal, security experts advise that you download and scan your Mac using anti-malware app. The tool recommended here has the capability of automatically scanning your Mac, and detecting and removing any threats.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Gamecontrollerd files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Gamecontrollerd, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Gamecontrollerd and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Gamecontrollerd:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Gamecontrollerd. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Gamecontrollerd. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Gamecontrollerd via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Gamecontrollerd. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove Gamecontrollerd – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Gamecontrollerd-FAQ
What is Gamecontrollerd on your Mac?
The Gamecontrollerd threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Gamecontrollerd?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Gamecontrollerd?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Gamecontrollerd Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Gamecontrollerd how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Gamecontrollerd?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Gamecontrollerd threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.